Improvement in folding feed-boxes



l. L. EDWAR Q 3.

Folding Feed-Ewes.

Patented Jam i4, 1873.

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PATENT 7 JAMES L. EDWARDS, OF OOGHRANVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FCLDING FEED-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 134,869, dated January 1-1, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES L. EDWARDS, of Cochranville, in the county of Chester and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Feed-Box; and I do hereby declare the following to be a clear and exact description of the nature thereof, sufficient to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to fully understand, make, and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing making part of this specification, in which- Figures 1 and 2 are side views of the device embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a top view thereof. Fig. 4 is a top view, and Fig. 5 a side view, both in a folded state.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts in the several figures.

This invention consists of a feed-box whose sides are respectively folded on each other and on the bottom of the box, as will be hereinafter stated. It also consists in springcatches for keeping the parts of the box in proper position. It also consists in the construction of the hinges for the sides of the box. It also consists in the combination of various parts.

Referring to" the drawing, A represents a feed-box, which is constructed of sides B and O and bottom D. The sides B are hinged to the bottom so as to fold inwardly and directly downward on said bottom; and the sides 0 are hinged between the sides B to fixed pieces E, which rise from the bottom, so that the joints of the sides G are elevated above the bottom, and said sides will fold inwardly and downwardly on the folded sides B. F represents fastenings for the sides of the box when open or unfolded, and consist of spring-bars G, which are hinged to the ends of the sides G, and project inwardly from said ends, so as to engage with hookedshaped pieces or catches H projecting from the outer faces of the sides B of the box. The catches are beveled on their upper sides, and the bars G are formed with openings, into which enter the catches H, and the hooked portions of the latter engage with the bars G, thereby looking or fastening the sides of the box and keeping them apart. The construction and arrangement of the fastenings are such that, to fold the box, the hand is applied at the corners of the box, the thumbs being presented to the under side of the bars G. Then, by pressing the thumbs upwardly against the bars until they are disengaged from the catches H, and continuing the pressure against the sides B, the latter are cleared of the fastenings and begin to fold. Now swing the sides B fully down on the bottom D and the sides 0 on the sides B, and the parts are folded. (See Fig, 4.) The hinges consist of the leaves J, which are secured to the sides B O and leaves K'secured to the bottom D. The leaves K are arranged on the bottom near the inner 'corners, and consist of a single piece, to

whose ends are attached the leaves J, one of which is secured to the side B and the other to the side G; or, in other words, each leaf K is provided with two leaves J, and extends either curved or angular along the bottom to one leaf and upwardly along the fixed piece E to the other leaf, the leaves J being at right angles to each other and secured to adjacent sides of the box, where, by the means for jointing, the sides are greatly simplified, and the hinges do not interfere in any manner with the ready movements or folding of the sides.

It will be seen that the box may be compactly folded in small compass, and thereby stowed away in a Wagon or elsewhere, or conveniently carried under the arm.

When the box is required for use the sides are respectively drawn up and out to full extent, and by the engagement of the fastenings G H are held extended, in which condition the box is ready to receive the food for the animal. A strap, L, may be passed around the sides of the box, and connected to the wagon body, spokes, or other suitable place for conveniently hanging or suspending the box within reach of the animal.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a feed-box, the sides B folding on the bottom of the box, and the sides 0 folding on the folded sides B, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The spring-bars G and catches H ar FIGE.

ranged with the ends of the sides O and faces and operating in the manner and forthe pmof the sides B, as set forth. pose set forth.

3. The single leaves K, in combination with The above signed by me this 24th day of leaves J J, the latter being at right angles to September, 1872.

each other and secured to adjacent sides of JAMES L. EDWARDS. the box, as and for the purpose set forth. Y Witnesses:

4. The bottom D, swinging sides B 0, leaves JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM,

J K, spring-bars G, and catches H, combined LEWIS M. HAUPT. 

